Third-year pro back with Rochester on one-year contract
Jul 22, 2025
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @ Mossbrooks48
The Rochester Americans made retaining their roster an apparent focus of the 2025 offseason. General Manager Jason Karmanos, along with Sabres GM Kevyn Adams have returned over a dozen of the Amerks that pushed to the North Division Finals of this past spring’s Calder Cup Playoffs, be it on AHL or NHL contracts.
Another focus across the organization has been an emphasis on being tough. That’s why shortly after the signing period opened up, bulldozing forward Jagger Joshua was asked to put ink to paper, signing a one-year AHL contract to join the Amerks again after being acquired via trade last season.
“I think it just kind of comes naturally,” said Joshua when asked about his style of play. “I guess my attitude towards playing in hockey just leads me to be more physical and I think it really helps at this level (the AHL). Not a lot of guys are willing to do some of that. You have to get to the dirty areas and I thrive in it.”
Amerks head coach Michael Leone cited numerous times throughout his maiden voyage as Rochester’s bench boss that team toughness would be what wins hockey games. Joshua was brought in to assist with that edge. The Dearborn, Michigan, native was acquired from the Penguins’ organization midseason after posting 93 penalty minutes his rookie year in 2023-24. In 24 games as an Amerk, Joshua amassed 76 penalty minutes, but come playoff time, a roster full of youth and Sabres prospects saw Joshua on the outside looking in as a healthy scratch.
The penalty minutes are the visible stat, but there is more than meets the eye through Joshua’s scope.
“I think my playing style sometimes leads to me getting misunderstood because I am so physical. I think some people get caught up in that. They think that’s all I can do or all I produce.”
But that’s not the case and Joshua has proven that before. At Michigan State University, the power forward was given the trust of head coach Adam Nightingale to get an increased role with the team his senior season. After recording eight points his junior year, Joshua leaped forward, scoring 13 goals and 24 points to finish fourth on the Spartans’ point production list, while topping the club with 92 penalty minutes.
As his rookie season went on in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Joshua was rewarded with…
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